256 Select Plants for Industrial Culture 



and P. capitatum. The Kaffirs assert that these plants keep off 

 snakes. Easily multiplied from cuttings. On this occasion may be 

 pleaded also for the hundreds of distinct kinds of Pelargonium, many 

 seemingly doomed to utter annihilation in South-Africa, unless indeed 

 some statesman there by legislation will see these lovely plants protected 

 at least on a few pristine spots within permanently reserved small 

 areas, for the joy also of future generations; so also the hundreds of 

 charming species of Ericas, only there to be found, claim immunity 

 for ever againsl herds and flocks; and thus likewise might, under 

 enlightened foresight, yet timely be saved and sheltered the numerous 

 and gay Polygaleae, podalyrious Leguminosse, Phylicae, Crassuke, 

 Mesembryanthema, Proteaceae, Gnidia, and the incomparable Iridese 

 and Liliaceae of the South-African Flora, so far at least, as not to be 

 swept away altogether from the face of the globe ! 



Peltophorum Linnsei, Bentham. (Ccesalpinia jBrasiliensis, Linne.) 



A small tree, which provides the orange-colored Brasiletto-wood. 

 This species likes dry calcareous soil (Grisebach). Endures the cli- 

 mate of Carolina. 



Pennisetum latifolium, Sprengel. 



Extra-tropical South -America. A tall perennial nutritious grass, 

 forming large tufts, easily spreading from the roots or seeds. It is 

 of quick growth. 



Pennisetum villosum, R. Brown, 



Abyssinia. A grass of decorative beauty, forming ample tufts; it 

 is recommended by Dr. Curl for permanent pasture in New Zealand. 

 With numerous other grasses it was introduced into Australia by 

 the writer of this work. Proves hardy in Norway to lat. 67 56' 

 (Schuebeler). 



Pennisetum thyphoideum, Richard.* (Penicillaria spicata, Willdenow; 

 Panicum cc&ruleum, Miller.) 



The Bajree or Pearl-Millet. Tropical Asia, Nubia and Egypt. 

 An annual, requiring only about three months to ripen its millet-crop 

 in warm countries. The stems are thick and reach a height of 6-10 

 feet; several being produced from one root, and each again forming 

 lateral branches; the maximum-length of a spike is about a foot and 

 a half; Colonel Sykes saw exceptionally 15 spikes on one plant and 

 occasionally 2,000 seeds in one spike. Together with sorghum this 

 is the principal cereal, except rice, grown in India by the native races. 

 This grass requires a rich and loose soil, and on such it will yield 

 upwards of a hundred-fold. It furnishes hay of good quality, though 

 not very easily dried, and is also valuable as green fodder. In the 

 United States cultivated as far north as Pennsylvania, and it matures 

 seeds even as far north as Christiania in Norway (Schuebeler). Its 

 fast growth prevents weeds from obtaining a footing. In very 

 exceptional cases and under most favorable circumstances as regards 

 soil and manure, the first cutting is in six or seven weeks, the stems 



